Australian Michael Zerafa is taking a step down at school as he seems to rebuild his profession following his second spherical knockout loss to WBA middleweight titleholder Erislandy Lara in Las Vegas in March.
An enormous step down at school.
The 32-year-old Melburnian will tackle Tommy Browne in August, with the venue and date but to be finalized.
The title may sound vaguely acquainted to those that have been across the sport for some time. Sydney’s Browne, 41, unsuccessfully challenged In Jin Chi for the WBC title and Chris John for the WBA belt in the identical calendar 12 months. That was in 2005 and each of these contests had been at featherweight.
Since then, Browne has had an up-and-down profession. Following his sixth-round stoppage loss to Leonardo Zappavigna at junior welterweight in 2008, he took a five-year break from the game earlier than returning as a 154-pounder. The previous decade has seen the 22-year professional defeat a laundry checklist of journeymen whereas shedding to Anthony Mundine by second-round knockout and Dennis Hogan on factors over six heats as he ran his document as much as 45-8-2 with 19 victories coming through the brief route.
Browne has been a courageous warrior who has proudly flown the flag for his nation on the worldwide stage, however there would appear to be little urge for food for this matchup at residence or overseas.
The information comes as Zerafa has signed a take care of No Restrict Boxing, the Sydney-based outfit that promotes boxing brothers Tim and Nikita Tszyu. The Browne bout can be Zerafa’s first beneath their banner, along with his final objective being to struggle no less than one of many Tszyus.
“I’ve signed a take care of No Restrict and hopefully as soon as I beat Tommy, I can struggle Nikita subsequent and ultimately Tim,” defined Zerafa (31-5, 19 KOs) to CODE Sports activities.
“Nikita may be very robust. He has the title. He has the hype, however there’s a whole lot of flaws in his sport and a world-class fighter like me will expose them.”
Zerafa was scheduled to face Tim Tszyu three years in the past however withdrew from the interstate bout one week out amid considerations about COVID-19 journey restrictions. 4 months in the past, his final struggle in opposition to Lara was on the undercard of Tyszu’s ill-fated WBO junior middleweight title protection in opposition to Sebastian Fundora.
“Me and Tim have unfinished enterprise,” stated Zerafa. “Being on the identical card in Vegas, it softened the unhealthy blood we had as two Aussies on the world stage collectively, however that is enterprise and there’s a struggle that must be made.
“No Restrict have put a protect in entrance of Tim with Nikita, however I’ll break that household protect and ultimately get the massive struggle the Australian boxing followers deserve.
“The very fact is me and Tim don’t have anything now. Neither of us have any belts. We’re again on the identical taking part in subject now, so if Tim is prepared, I’m able to do it.”
In a shock transfer, Zerafa has additionally linked up with coach Glenn Rushton, who famously coached Jeff Horn to his upset win over Manny Pacquaio in Brisbane seven years in the past.
“Glenn has a pointy thoughts,” stated Zerafa, who went 1-1 in opposition to Horn with Rushton within the reverse nook. “He isn’t formally my coach. He’ll simply be advising me and serving to me within the nook.
“I’ll be choosing his mind. He has a whole lot of expertise in boxing and blended martial arts. I really feel prefer it’s an additional little bit of artillery in my nook.”
He added: “Horn fought Tim Tszyu and I feel Rushton can present some good insights and break Tim down.”
